Vendetta Denied In Wille Probe

July 18, 1986|By JAMES H. TOLPIN, Staff Writer

The state`s top police official Thursday defended his agency`s investigation of Sheriff Richard Wille and countered Wille`s attack on the probe by saying he personally warned the sheriff at the start that ``we`d let the chips fall where they may.``

Commissioner Robert Dempsey of the Florida Department of Law Enforcement denied Wille`s charges that the 18-month probe was ``a crusade or vendetta to get the sheriff`` and that the FDLE wants to become a ``super police agency`` by discrediting sheriffs throughout the state.

``We`re not out to get that sheriff or any other sheriff,`` Dempsey said in response to Wille`s statements published Thursday by The Palm Beach Post. ``Nobody can say we have a vendetta.``

Dempsey added: ``It must be remembered that (Wille) came to us and asked us to conduct this investigation. We only investigate public officials at the request of public officials or the governor. We don`t just go out witch hunting.``

The commissioner said he expects to see Wille at the Florida Sheriff`s Association conference July 27 in Fort Lauderdale.

``I`m going to walk up to Sheriff Wille and say, `Dick, I`m sorry you feel that way about the investigation.` And if he wants to talk, I`ll talk to him,`` Dempsey said.

The articles also said Wille benefited financially when he used McGinn to buy him dogs but paid less in expenses than other buyers.

As the state`s probe progressed over the next year and a half, so did investigations by the media, which revealed dozens of new allegations, including Wille`s buying and selling of dogs for thousands of dollars through his and his wife`s commercial kennel and his possible use of office for personal gain.

On May 29, a grand jury cleared Wille of any criminal or ethical wrongdoing and indicted McGinn on five misdemeanor counts. The case was presented to the panel by the Treasure Coast State Attorney`s Office.

Although State Attorney Bruce Colton and prosecutor Ed Miller say they support the grand jury`s findings, FDLE records released Tuesday show investigators reached some different conclusions.

``Information was developed which may indicate that Sheriff Wille used his official position to overstate the prices of dogs which (Wille) had purchased in Germany on behalf of the Sheriff`s Office,`` one report states.

Also revealed were a former sheriff lieutenant`s allegation that he delivered to Wille, while Wille was a candidate for his first term in 1976, an envelope containing $500. Wille`s campaign receipts do not show any such contribution.

Former Lt. William Santo told FDLE agents he picked up the envelope at the office of Palm Beach County Jail architect Frank Masiello.

Wille has not returned telephone calls to his office by the Sun-Sentinel, but in his statements to the Post, Wille called Santo ``an absolute liar.``

The sheriff also said he thought stories about his dealings would end when the grand jury cleared him.

Of the grand jury`s findings, Dempsey said only, ``I will accept the results.``